how much did you really spend on xmas?

[markio26]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

any ideas on how we can save more money for xmas???
we only gave gifts to ppl. who cared enough to give to us... the first time we did this...
i still spent $500... wondering how to get away even less......hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[cicy33]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

somewhere around $2000. that is pretty general for us

[lillyb]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

About $100. Yup, you read that right.

[dossin1]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

Well, since everyone is including food too, it was about $700. I really blew the budget on the kids, planned to spend $250 and actually spent $470.

[markio26]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

my auntie and unkie had 60 guests over at their home for a gathering... i prepared food and spent about $14 for the food.... so, not bad, i made salmon patay, made from seakist skinned and boned foil bag, with relish and mayo, mixed in..$1.20,. the crackers were $2.50, i made amish noodles, maybe with the broth, noodles, butter, $2.50, i made baked beans, cost $2.50, homemade cheesecake, $2, cheeseball $2.99.

[Aleta]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

I really think that when you gave to break down Xmas that you have to include food, decorations, decorative lights for the outside or inside, special foods or liquors, Xmas paper products, containers, stamps, cards, etc. If it weren't for Xmas you wouldn't be spending this amount.

[lgslgs]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

I really think that when you gave to break down Xmas that you have to include food, decorations, decorative lights for the outside or inside, special foods or liquors, Xmas paper products, containers, stamps, cards, etc. If it weren't for Xmas you wouldn't be spending this amount.

I agree. My $238.80 included all of that. (Of course, we also spent $0.00 on most of that stuff. )

Lynda

[lrjohnson]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

I really think that when you gave to break down Xmas that you have to include food, decorations, decorative lights for the outside or inside, special foods or liquors, Xmas paper products, containers, stamps, cards, etc. If it weren't for Xmas you wouldn't be spending this amount.

I avoid a lot of these items. I counted special food, the only extra I did. If I did do the other items, I'd totally count it as the cost of Christmas.

[Coleroo]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

We spent about $1,400 this year total (christmas tree, our first ornaments, first decorations, gifts for ourselves, my parents, DH's family, and my mom's extended family like aunts, uncles, cousins, etc that were very close too). It was our very first Christmas as a married couple so we decided to make great memories!!

The best part about it was all of it was done with extra cash - my hubby worked 20+ hours overtime each week in November and December so we could have christmas money and still meet all of our bills and saving requirements! (I also was surprised with an 11% increase raise at work in early December - the only staff member to get one in 2 years!!) So we were extremely blessed this year.

I hear all kinds of stories of how "christmas bills" come in in january, and how some people are still paying for christmas 3 years ago.. and everytime I hear that on the news I think of how proud I am of my husband and what he did to make our first Christmas together so memoriable! We've both been weaning ourselves from the 0% APR and 5% cash back credit card trap we got into our first month together (we haven't touched a card since November!) so to have an all cash Christmas, nothing put on credit, and our budget for bills and savings still perfectly in place was like a dream come true!

[tinapbeana]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

lisa a cash only christmas is the best kind, congrats!

with that said, there is something that makes it feel a little bit better (at least for me!): setup a gift and holiday fund that you pay $ towards every month. that way, if you find a great gift or someone in june, there's money to pay for it and it gets squirreled away until the holiday season. delicious!

[markio26]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

it is cold outside and snowing... this time of year, seems more like xmas in ohio.... jan.. is freezing...lol... dec.. was okay for xmas, but, not the same without the snow... alot of ppl. tell me they are not sending cards, gifts, etc.. in 2007... is anyone talking that to you????

[markio26]

Re: how much did you really spend on xmas?

i went to dg on sat. and purchased gift bags at 90% off, santa hats, cards, etc.... this past xmas i gave out xmas stockings i had stored and paid 90% off for with the gift inside and tied at the top with a bow.....